Honors, activities in news at Flagler

Compiled by Staff

Published Saturday, July 05, 2003

Flagler College students had a busy spring before ending another school year, Honors and events were highlights.Flagler College's Students In Free Enterprise (FCSIFE) team placed in the top Elite 8 at the 2003 SIFE National Competition and Career Opportunity Fair earlier this year. FCSIFE matched its educational outreach programs and real-life businesses against the programs of more than 120 SIFE Teams in Kansas City, Mo.

Students in Free Enterprise encourages students to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations and to use their knowledge to better their communities and the world through educational outreach projects. The projects presented by the FCSIFE Team included its St. George Street retail store and tour program, "Flagler's Legacy" and "Legacy Tours," its nationally-syndicated radio show "Cash Positive Radio," and its newest project, "CPR For Your Wallet," a newspaper column featuring subjects ranging from credit to travel appearing monthly in the St. Augustine Record.

Teams were judged on the effectiveness of their projects during a 24-minute verbal and visual presentation. They were evaluated on creativity and innovation, results of education programs, success in utilizing resources and documentation of activities. FCSIFE competed and made it to the Sensational 16 and moved all the way forward to the Elite 8. Flagler College SIFE students also met with dozens of corporate representatives from the Kansas City business community to discuss job and internship opportunities.

Two other projects that were completed this spring include "Money Talks" an "Exchange City Gets SIFED."

"FCSIFE partnered with the Evelyn Hamblen Center, an alternative high school in St. Augustine, to do a project that combined a popular TV show with international flavor. The result was "Money Talks," a game show FCSIFE developed and produced to provide a fun, easy way for students to learn the principles of currency exchange and the cost of living worldwide. Following a similar pattern as the real game show, "The Price is Right," high school students guessed the prices of products, but then they had to calculate the number of work-hours it takes to buy them, and not in U.S. dollars. The contestants had to use world currencies- everything from a drachma to a shekel. Students discovered what it took to earn a living in different countries. FCSIFE discovered when money talks, students listen.

The Stiles-Nicholson Free Enterprise Foundation invited FCSIFE to contribute to its flagship project with Junior Achievement. "Exchange City" is a miniature business community with shops, government and services run entirely by fifth grade students. Each year, 40,000 students learn how to be business owners, accountants and government officials.

Students operate a newspaper and a radio station, serve as police officers and postal workers and run the city's bank. FCSIFE became honorary citizens of Exchange City for a day, "but the legacy we left will last long after we leave," Michelle Olson, FCSIFE's new president, said.

The FCSIFE competition team included presenters Olson, Ally DePetrillo, Tim Hodges and Jessica Meith along with support team Ashley Grant, Steven Fleet and Jackie Reynolds.

Supreme Court Intern

This summer Nicolas Matlach became the first Flagler College student to intern with the U.S. Supreme Court. The paid internship is in the U.S. Marshal's Office.

"Nick is an excellent student and a hard worker. This excellent combination is sure to lead to a successful life and we are all extremely proud of him," Judge Richard Poland, coordinator of Flagler's pre-law program, said.

Matlach has been told his duties include delivering mail, escorting witnesses to various offices, clerical work and anything else they require of him.

Matlach is a political science major with minors in pre-law, English and international studies. He was recently elected chairman of the Student Judiciary Council, after serving this past year as pre-hearing interviewer and court clerk. He is also a member of the Political Guild and works part time at the Computer Guys in St. Augustine.

Matlach's aspirations include working in the field of international law, beginning in government and then moving into private corporate practice.

High tea

A great house deserves a great tradition. Some traditions are homegrown; others are adopted and adapted.

"High Tea," a long-standing British tradition, was served in Flagler College's historic Markland House recently, when 42 women in spring hats attended and indulged in scones, crumpets and other sweet treats.

"Last time I was at a tea was in this very house," said Hon Versaggi, dressed in pink, "and that was when Mrs. (H.E.) Wolfe still lived here in the late 1960s."

The idea for the tea was the inspiration of Susan Abare, wife of Flagler College President William Abare.

"There should be something special just for the ladies," she said. Sue Hale, chair of the President's Council, and Barbara Cone, wife of the chair of the board of trustees joined Mrs. Abare in hosting the occasion.

"It's wonderful to start a new tradition," Cone said, as she poured tea in a guest's china cup.